Column clamp



SGP- 3, 1929. A. H. sYMoNs 1,726,776

COLUMN'- CLAMP Filed Jan. 11, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 3, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR E. SYMONS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR. T SYMONS CLAMP & MFG. COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS.

COLUMN CLAMP.

Application led January 11, 1928. Serial No. 245,838.

The invention relates to clamps for holding together the separable sections or frames that form a mold into which concrete or other plastic material'is poured and set in the construction of buildings and other concrete structures; and more particularly to those clamps which comprise sets of pivotally corinected bars, the ends of which are arranged to intersect each other, and blocks or brackf ets adapted to connect the intersecting ends of the bars and cooperate with wedges to clamp or draw the sets against the sides of the sections so as to hold the latter in connected relation during the pouring and setting periods.

The primary object ofthe present invention is to provide a clamping unit of this character in which the blocks or bracketslare of new and improved construction and are reinforced so as to withstand in an efficient manner the comparatively great forces and thrust to which they are subjected.

`Another object of the invention 1s to pro.

vide a bracket for a mold or form clamping '25 unit which maybe quickly applied to the intersecting bars and embodies means for effectivelyv holding the latter in rigid relation.

A -further obj ect of the invention is to provide a bracket having a stop lug which is so arranged that when the bars are in their inoperative or overlapped position, the bar which is not connected to the bracket is prevented from being swung in the wrong direction with respect to the bracket of the other unit. As .a result, when the clamp is to be used, the free bar must be swung in the proper direction to t within the bracket of the other unit.

A still further object of .the invention isvto provide a form or column clamp which may be easily and economically manufactured, is

efficient in operation and may be readily ad justed into its operative position. o

Otherobjects will appear hereafter from lthe detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by the claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which form a part of this description or specification and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a transverse sectional view of a mold to which is applied a clamp embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of vone end of the clamp, showing the manner in which the intersecting bars are held in one of the new and improved brackets.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bracket shown in Figure2.

Figure 4 is a perspective of the bracket viewed from the bottom.

Figure 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fi ure 2. l

igure 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of securing together in squared relation the four sides or sections of a mold for forming alcolumn of concrete, cement, or any other plastic material. The sections are separable and together form a rectangular mold in which the concrete is poured and allowedto set. as well understood in the art. The clamp which forms the Subj ect matter of the present invention .comprises a pair of units, each consisting of two bars 10 whichoverlap each other atone end and are there pivotally secured together by a rivet or bolt 11. The bars are made of-any desired length and are preferably formed of strap iron. the distal ends thereof being each provided with a longitudinal series of transverse openings or slots 12 for receiving a wedge 13. In applying the units to the mold, the bars 10 are positioned against the sections respectively and are arranged so that the pivoted ends are at two diagonally opposite corners and the distal or slotted ends intersect each other at the other corners. The intersecting ends of the bars are connected together by a pair of blocks or brackets 14, which cooperate with the wedges 13 to urge the bars into clamping relation.

Each unit'or pair of bars is provided with one bracket 14. The latter is formed of a one-piece casting and comprises a pair of rigidly connected arms 15 `and 16 which extend at right angles to each other and are adapted to receive the intersecting ends of the bars. The arm 15 comprises an upper wall 17 and a lower wall 18 which are spaced apart by a side wall 19 to form an elongated chamber 20 in which the end of one of the bars 10 lits and is longitudinally slidable. The upper wall 17 hasformed therein a pair of longitudinally extending slots 21 which are aligned with a pair of slots 22 formed in the lower wall 18 and form therewith sock ets for one of the wedges 13. The slots 21 and 22 are spaced apart respectively distances which are dilf'erent than the spaces between the slots 12 with the result that there is always one combination of slots (21, 12 and y22) through which the operator may insert a wedge 13 and upon driving the wedge down, securerelative movement of the bar and arm for clamping purposes. The outer faces of the walls 17 and 18 are providedadjacent the wedge slots with a pad or re-l inforced portion 23 which operates to strengthen the parts that contact with the wedge. The inner end of the lower wallprojects beyond the upper wall 17 and is Ini' tered, as at 24, to form a triangular bearing surface 25. The arm 15 preferably holds the lowermost bar and this surface together with 1 wall 26 which is formed integrally with the with which it is associated.

inner side margins of the walls 17 and 18.

This side wall is positioned with respect to` the side wall 19 so that the bar is confined against transverse angular movement while in the chamber 20. To prevent the arm 15 from sliding o the free end of the bar when free to slide thereon a stop lug 27`is provided. This lug is connected to said bar adjacent the slotted end and inner edge thereof and serves to retain the'bracket 14 in connected relation with the unit or pair of bars To permit the arm v15 to be shifted to the extreme distal end of the bar before being arrested by the stop lug, the upper and lower walls of the arm 15 and the side wall 26 are cutaway as at 28. The lowermost part of the side wall 26 and the mitered margin of the surface -24 project downwardly beyond the outer face form an elongated chamber 34 in which the uppermost bar lits and is longitudinally slidable. The inner face of the lower wall 32 is coplanar with respect to the inner or lower face of the wall 17 so that the chamber 34 is positioned directly above the level of the chamber 2() with the result that the intersecting portions of the bars rest one upon the other as shown in Figures 2 and 6.- The 'front or inner end 35 of the lower wall 32 forms a continuation of the side wall 19 and assists the latter in forming an abutment for the outer edge of the lowermost bar 10. The

front end 35 is connected to the subjacent inner side of the arm 16 is left open so that said uppermost bar 10 may be 'inserted edge- 'wise or laterally into the chamber 34 to 'facilitate assembly of the clamping unit.

Similarly to the walls 17 and 18, the upper and lower walls 31 and 32 have formed therein wedge slots 36 and 37. These slots are spaced apart lthe same distance as the slots 21 and 22 so that always one combination of slots 36, 12 and 37) is available for the insertion of a wedge 13. Reinforcing portions or pads 38 are formed on the outer faces of the walls 31 and 32 adjacent the wedge slots.. The i inner margin 39 of the lower wall 32 extends downwardly to form a continuation of the rib 29. The inner or liront end and the inner side margin of the upper wall 31 extend upwardly to form a continuation ci the rib 30. j y

In actual practice the bars 10, due to the outward pressure of the mold sections, exert considerable force upon the brackets 14. To strengthen these brackets so that the arms 15 and 16 will be rigid and capable of withstanding great cross forces, a triangular shapedweb 40 is arranged between said arms. This web is formed integrally with the outer side margins of the upper wall 17 and the lower wall 32 and extends therebetween. To prevent the upper and lower walls of the arms 16 and 17 'from being `forced apart or broken due to rocking movement of the bars 10. Ushaped members 41 are provided. These members are formed as an integral part of the bracket and extend around the upper, lower and inner side wallsof each arm, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The connecting part 42 of each member is thickened while the legs 43 taper i outwardly with the result that the members strengthen the arms 15 and 16 in a most eliieient manner.

The clamp is operated as follows: two units or pairs of bars 10 are applied to The the mold sections with the pivot pins 11 at in Figure 1 and the uppermost bars-are shifted outwardly into the open-ended chambersy 34 in the brackets 14 so as to interlock and connect together the units.l The intersecting portions ofv the bars are then forced apart manually as far as possible to jam the sets into close contact with the sections of the mold, while at the same time the brackets 14 are shifted in `a'follow up manner. Thereafter the wedges 13 are inserted yinto the f wedge slots and driven down as far as possible to urge the inner edges o f the bars which extendbetween the overlapped ends and the pivoted connections into their clamping position against the mold sections. In this manner the mold is held together while the plastic material is poured therein and allowed to set; When it is desired'to remove the clampand forced on top ing unit slight tapping on the small ends of the wedges operates to release the latter so Ithat they may be withdrawn and the unit dismantled.

When the-units are not in use the uppermost bar 10 is swung toward the bracket 14 of the arm- 16 so thatthe two bars 10' are 1n overlapped relation v (see Figures 7 and 8). In this position the arms take up but little space and the bracket 14 is held so that it cannot slide back and. forth on the lowermost bar 10 which is very desirable in shipping and transporting. When theh units are to be used, the uppermost bar is swung so as to extend at right angles to the4 lowermost bar and to fit edgewise within the open-ended chamber 34 in the bracket of the cooperating unit. To prevent the uppermost bars 10- from being swung in the wrong direction, a stoplug 44 is formed on the top of each ofthe brackets. This lug is `formed as tively to hold together the separable sections an integral part of the bracket 'and comprises an abutment member 45 which projects upwardly from the upper wall 31 and extends parallel with respect to the arm 15. When the uppermost' bar is shifted into its inoperative position it abuts against this wall Figure 8) and is limited thereby lto movement only in the proper direction for use with the bracket of the cooperating unit. The abutment member 45 isof such a'height that the uppermost bar 10l cannot be conveniently forced thereover. The lug 44 alsocomprises a reinforcing wall 46 which extends at right angles to the abutment member. The rib 30 serves to support and direct the uppermost bar into its inoperative position. Because `the legs 43 of the U-shaped members 41 are tapered they do not .interfere in any manner with the vbar shifting operation justv described. f v

The clamp herein disclosed .operates effecy'of a'colurnn mold, includes a bracketfor holdlng the'intersecting barends whichis' of new and .improved construction 'and may be `fmaniifactured at .a comparatively low cost'.

`subjected to the most strai Additionally,` the bracket ofthe clamp may be readily adjusted into `its operative osition and is reinforced at the points and-p aces i The invention is not to ybe understood as restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from t e spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention,what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. 4In a clamp of the character describedv i the combination of a pair-of bars, the ends o which overlap and are each provided with a longitudinal series of slots, a one-piece bracket for holding the ends of the bars in -theirvoverlapped position comprising a pair of arms adapted to be associated with the bars respectively and extend outwardly from the overla Aping parts toward the'extremities of said en s of the bars, one of the arms having an elongatedchamber formed therein in which the lowermost bar lits and is longitu-l dinally slidable `only, the other arm being provided with-an elongated open-sided chamber in which the uppermost bar fits edgewise and 'is longitudinally Vslidable, said arms being provided with slots, and wedges extending through the slots in the arms and bars for the over apping parts toward the extremities of said ends of the bars, one of the arms having an elongated chamber formed therein inv which the lowermost bar lits and is longitudinally slidable,.the other arm extending outwardly from the outer edge of said lowermost bar and being `provided with an elongated open-sided chamber in which the up ermost 5 bar fits edgewise and is longitudine. y slidable, saidarms'being provided with slots and being reenforced and held in rigid relation 'by an integral substantially triangular web positioned between the outer side ortions of said arms, and wedges extending t rough the slots in the arms and-bars for holding bracket and bars in their operative position.

thev 3. In a clamp of the character described.

, the combination of a pair of bars, the ends of which are adapted to` intersect each other. and

`are provided with slots,y a one-piece bracket Y for holding said bars in their operative'po-v sition consisting of a pair of arms, each of walls which form with its upper and lower `said arms consisting of an upper and a lower wall, one of the arms having a pair of side pas the walls and bars'for holding v walls an elongated chamber in which one of thev bars fits and is longintudinally slidable only, the other arm having buta single side wall which forms with its upper and lower walls, an elongated open-sided chamber in which the uppermostbar' fits edgewise and is longitudinally slidable, the upper and lower walls of the arms being provided with slots, and wedgesextending through the slots in the walls and bars for holding the bracket and bars in their operative position'.

4. In a clamp of the character described, the combination of a pairof bars, the ends of which overlap each other and are provided with slots, a one-piece bracket for holdingsaid bars in their overlapped position consisting of a pair of arms extending' at right angles to each other, each of said arms consisting of an upper and a lower wall, one of the arms having a pair of side walls 'which form with its upper and lower walls an elongated chamber in which the lowermost bar iits and is longitudinally slidable, the other arm having but a single side wall which forms with its upper and lower Walls an elongated open-sided chamber in which the uppermost bar lits edgewise and is longitudinally slidable, the upper and lower walls of vthe arms being provided with slots, and

wedges extending through the slots in the walls and bars for holding the bracket and bars in their operative position, said bracket also including a web positioned coplanar and formed integrally with the upper wall of said one arm and the lower Wall of said other arm and extending therebetween.

-5. In a clamp of the character described, the combination of a pair of bars, the/outer ends of which overlap each other and are rovided` with slots, a one-piece bracket for olding said bars in their overlapped position comprising a pair of arms extending at right anglesl to each other, each of said arms consisting of an upperand a lower wall, one of the arms having a pair of, side Walls which form with its upper and-lower walls ajn elongated chamber in which the lowermost bar fits and isr longitudinally slidable, the other larm having a side wall which forms with its upper and lower walls an elongated chamber in which the uppermost bar fits and is lon'-4 gitud'inally slidable, the inner.. end of the upper wall of said one arm being c'oplanar with and forming a continuation of the side wall of said other arm, the upper and lower walls of the arms being rovided with slots, and wedges extending t rough the slots in the bracket and bars in their operative position.

6. In a clamp of the characterdescribed,

'i the combination of a pair of bars, the ends of which overlap each other and are provided with slots, a one-piece bracket for holding said bars in theirv .overlapped position con- 1,7ae,77e l wall of said one arm being coplanar with and forming a continuation of said single side wall, the upper and lower walls of the arms being provided with slots, and wedges extending through the ,slots in the walls and bars for holding the bracket and bars in their operative position.

V7. In a clamp of. the character described, the combination of a pair of bars, the ends of which overlap each other and are provided with slots, a one-piece bracket for holding said bars in their overlapped position comprising a pair of arms extending at right angles toy each other, each of said arms consisting ofan upper and al wer wall, one ofthe arms having a pair of side walls which form with its upper and lowerwalls an elongated chamber in which the lowermost bar fits and is longitudinally slidable, the other arm having aside .wall which forms with its upper and lower walls an elongated chamber in which the uppermost bar :lits and is longitudinally slidother arm bein coplanar with the outer side wall of the sai one arm and forming a continuation thereof against which the lowerable, the inner end of the lower wall of said most bar abuts, the upper and lower walls of the' arms being provided. with. slots, andv Wedges extending through the slots in the walls vand bars for holding the bracket and bars in their operative position. i

-8. lIn a clamp of the character described, the combination of a pair of bars, the outer ends offwhich overlap each other and are provided with slots,'a one-piece bracket for holding said bars in their overlapped position comprising a pair of arms extending at right angles t'o each other, each of said arms consisting of an upper and a lower wall. one of the arms having a pair of side walls which form with its upper and lower walls anelongated chamber in which the lowermost bar fits and is longitudinally slidable, the other arm having but a single side Wall which forms with its upper and lower walls an elongated open- Asided chamberV in which the uppermost bar i abuts, the upper and lower walls of the arms i being provided with slots, and wedges extendvided with slots, a one-piece bracket for holding said barsintheir overlapped position comprising a pair of arms adapted to be associated with the bars respectively and extend outwardly from the overlapping parts toward the extremities of said ends of the bars, each of said arms consisting of an upper and a lower walk, on'ej the arms having a pair of side walls-`which form with V'its upper and lower walls an elon ated chamber in which the lowermost bar'figts and is longitudinally slidable, the other arm having a sidewall which forms with its upper and lower walls an elongated chamber in which the uppermost bar iits and is longitudinally slidable, the inner end of the lower wall of said one arm being extended to form a comparatively long bearing surface for said lowermost bar, the

' u per and lower walls of the arms being ro- .through'the slots in the walls and bars for' vlded with slots, and wedges exten ing through the slots in the walls and bars for holding the bracket and bars in their operative position. c v

10. In a clamp of the character described, thecombination of a pair of'barsthe outer ends of which overlap each other and are provided with slots', a one-piece bracket for holding said bars in! their overlapped position comprisin a pair-of arms adapted to be associated the bars respectively and extend outwardly from the overlapping parts toward the extremities of said ends of the bars, each of said arms consisting of an upper and alower wall, one of thev arms having a pair of side walls which forniwith its upper and lower walls lan elongated chamber in which the lowermost barl ts and is longitudinally slidable, the other arm having but a single .side wall which forms with lts upper and lower walls an elongated open-sided chamber in which the uppermost bar fits edgewise and is longitudinally slidable, the inner end of the lower wall of sald one arm being extended and connected to the inner end of the lower wall of said other arm to form a relatively long bearing surface for said lowermost bar, the upper vand lower'walls of the arms being prov1 ed with slots, and wedges extending holding the bracket and bars in their operative positlon.l

- 11. In a clamp of the character described,v

the combination of a pair of bars, the ends of which overlap eachother and are provided with slots, acne-piece bracket for holding said bars in their overlapped osition comprising azpairrof arms exten ing at right les to each other, each ofsaid varms consistin of upper and lower walls i and side wal dinal -chamber in which one of the ars fits and is slidable, thearms being ar- I ranged so that the chambers are disposed at forming an elongated llon itudiiferent levels, the bracket also comprising a substantially triangular web positioned coplanar and formed inte rally with the upper wall of one arm Aandthe lower wall o the other arm and extending therebetween, the

upper and lower walls ofthe arms being rovided with slots', and wedges .exten g through the slots in the walls and bars for holding the bracket and bars in their operative position.

12. A unit for a column clamp, comprising a pair of bars pivotally connected. together at one end thereofand having wed e openin in their other ends, and a brac et slidab y mounted on the lowermost bar andl ro-l vided with a chamber for receivn lan retaining the up ermost bar of anot er unit, the uppermost ar of the instant unit being adapted to be'shifted over the bracket an into an inoperative and overlapped position with respect to the said lowermost bar, and meansl on the bracket for limiting pivotal movement of Asaid second mentioned uppermost bar to one direction when the ba'r 1s in Iits inoperative position.

' 13. A unit for a column clamp, comprising a pair of bars pivotally connected together at one end thereof and having wed e openings in their other ends, and a brac et sl1dab y mounted on the lowermost bar and rovided with a chamber for receiving an retaining the uppermost bar of another unit, the uppermost bar of the instant unit `bein adapted to be shifted over the bracket an into an inoperative and overlapped position with respectl to the said lowermost bar, and' a sto lug formed integrally with the bracket for imitlng pivotal movement'of said second mentioned uppermost .bar to one direc: tion when the bar is in its inoperative position.

14. A unit for a column clamp', compris-l ing4 a pair of bars pivotall connected together at one end thereof and avmg wedge openings in their other ends, a bracketslidably lmounted on the lowermost bar, said bracket 4 being provided with a transverselyextending l 'one end of the rib for limiting pivotalmovement of said second mentioned uppermost bar izo to one direction when the bar is in its inopera- A 'tive position.

` 15'. In a clamp ofthe character described, the combination of a pair-of bars', the ends of which intersect each other and are provided with slots, a one-piece bracket for holding said bars in their-operative position comprising a pair of arms extending at.right angles to each other, each of said arms consisting of an upper and a lower Wall, one of the arms having a pair of side walls which form ywith its upper and lower walls an elongated chamber in which the lowermost bar ts and is longitudinally slidable, the other arm having a sidewall which forms with its upper and lower walls an elongated chamber wall in which the uppermost bar fits and is longitudinally slidable, the upper and lower walls of the armsbeing provided with slots, wedges extending through the slots in the walls and bars for holding the bracket and bars in their operative position, and U-shaped reinforcing members connected to the arms and extending around the upper and lower and outer side Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 14th day of December, 1927. ARTHUR H. SYMONS 

